You may not know much about embossing and debossing – but you will have come across it at some point. Both of these techniques appear constantly in the world around us, adding an extra layer of physical and visual depth that can help to create connections with a consumer. They are a great way to highlight something like a logo or business name and can give a product or packaging a really distinctive feel.
Embossing and debossing – how does it work?
Embossing raises the surface of a design, creating depth in that design, while debossing does the opposite. So, an embossed design will have a raised surface and a debossed design is one where the wording etc is sunk into the paper or card. This is achieved with heated dies that are added to the surface of the material with pressure to create either the embossed or debossed effect. In embossing, the dies are applied to push the design upward from underneath and in debossing the process is reversed. With both techniques you can choose to either leave the design as it is, with part raised or depressed, or you can fill the area with ink or with foil stamping.
Why embossing works so well for packaging design
Embossing is subtle and yet it’s also a great, simple way to add something unique to packaging design to really make it stand out. It’s also very textural and that sense of touch on product packaging can be used in many ways, including to convey a sense of quality or luxury. It also adds dimension and interest and can be used really well with colours too. If you’re thinking about using embossing – or debossing – for packaging designs then these are our tips on how to approach the process:
- Not every design will work with embossing or debossing. The effect of raising or lowering the design can sometimes mean that some of the details are lost so it’s important to keep the design simple and clear.
- Small details and thin lines may not work. If you’re going to invest in embossing or debossing then it will often be more effective to opt for a design that has large bold lines and big shapes so that you’re getting the most out of the finished product. If you’re not sure whether a design will work well for embossing or debossing then it’s always a good idea to ask.
- Keep the design simple. Anything overly complex or cluttered is probably not going to get the maximum impact from the debossing or embossing process.
- Use thicker paper or card. The effect is likely to be more dramatic if you opt for heavier gauge paper stock – the heavier or thicker the paper or card is, the more details will show up in the final product.
Embossing and debossing are great tools for helping to ensure that packaging stands out. They are subtle and yet highly effective, especially when it comes to something like creating great packaging design.